The Gospel of God: Slavery, Freedom, and Destiny

Hope Presbyterian Church in Winston-Salem Sermons

Series: The Gospel of GodScripture: Romans 6:15-23 “If we consider the unblushing promises of reward and the staggering nature of the rewards promised in the Gospels, it would seem that our Lord finds our desires not too strong but too weak. We are half-hearted creatures, fooling around with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered to us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea. We are far too easily pleased.” C.S. Lewis “In service which Thy will appoints, there are no bonds for me; For my inmost heart is taught “the truth” that makes Thy children ‘free’; A life of self–renouncing love is a life of liberty. Anna Waring “I am growing in the awareness that God wants my whole life, not just part of it. It is not enough to give just so much time and attention to God and keep the rest for myself. It is not enough to pray often and deeply and then move from there to my own projects. As I try to understand why I am still so restless, anxious, and tense, it occurs to me that I have not yet given everything to God. I especially see this in my greediness for time. I am very concerned to have enough hours to develop my ideas, finish my projects, fulfill my desires. Thus, my life is in fact divided into two parts, a part for God and a part for myself. Thus divided, my life cannot be peaceful . . . Every time I pray I feel the struggle. It is the struggle of letting God be the God of my whole being. It is the struggle to trust that true freedom lies hidden in total surrender to God’s love.” Henri NouwenThe post The Gospel of God: Slavery, Freedom, and Destiny first appeared on Hope Church PCA.